Minnow bucket



Sept. 21, 1954 H. M. PIKER ETAL MINNOW BUCKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 23, 1950 IN VEN TOR.

m u P15 M TM Tron/vs] Sept- 1, 1954 H. M. PIKER ETAL MINNOW BUCKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 23, 1950 INVENTOR.

M P/KER HERBERT VVl/IIAM L. ScHu/Tz Filed Jan. 2;), 1950 H. M. PIKER ETAL MINNOW BUCKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 23 a 54 2 4 45 24 1 T r 1 2f? @V w 11 INVENTOR.

HERBERT M PIKE]? BY l/V/llmu L, ScHu/Tz Patented Sept. 21-, 1954 MINNOW BUCKET Herbert M. Piker, Wyoming, and William L. Schultz, Hamilton, Ohio, assignors to The Hamilton Metal Products Company, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 23, 1950, Serial No. 140,018

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in minnow buckets and particularly to improvements in minnow buckets wherein but a single unit is employed instead of the customary two unit minnow buckets, and which two unit minnow buckets include the bucket proper and a container.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a single unit minnow bucket that can be used in keeping minnows alive during transportation and. while fishing and which single unit minnow bucket is adapted to have access means to the interior thereof without danger of loss of the minnows While in the water.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a single unit minnow bucket that will accomplish the foregoing object that is of a unique construction and can be economically produced.

While minnow buckets have in the past been used that were of the nonfioating type and such a bucket may be produced, in accordance with this invention, to accomplish the foregoing objects, however, it is desirable to produce such a minnow bucket of the floating type.

It is, therefore, another object of this invention to provide a single unit minnow bucket of the floating type and in which access to the minnows is readily obtained without danger of the minnows escaping from the bucket while in the water being fished.

Another and specific object of the present invention resides in producing a minnow bucket of specific constructional details whereby the foregoing objects are economically attained.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described,

within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a minnow bucket embodying the principles and features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper end of the minnow bucket of the present invention as seen from line 3--3 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, as seen from line 4-4 on Fig. 3.

of the minnow bucket Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the upper end of a minnow bucket, similar to Fig. 3,

showing a modification in the construction of the minnow bucket.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the modified minnow bucket as seen from line 6-6 on Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view through the portion of the modified minnow bucket of Fig. 5 taken on line 1-1 on said Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view, similar to Fig. 2, of the modified minnow bucket illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating the modified or float type of minnow bucket in its floating position on and with its axis oblique to the surface of a body of water and as seen from the front end of the minnow bucket.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 as seen from the left-hand side of said Fig. 9. r

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a minnow. bucket of the present invention disclosing a modification in the method and means for mounting the float.

Fig. 12 is-an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional viewthrough the top of the minnow bucket as seen from line l2|2 on Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of the float and chamber as seen from line I3-l3 on Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the modified float and float chamber as disclosed in connection with Figs. 11, '12 and 13.

Throughout the several views of the drawings similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

One form of' the invention may comprise a bucket-like container l5 including a substantially cylindrical imperforate body portion l6 to the lower end of which is secured a bottom I! by means of a peripheral bead l8. The body portion I6 is reinforced by spaced beads or bands l9 pressed into the body portion in the usual manner.

Secured to the upper end of the body portion I6 is a top, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 20, and in practice comprising a rear portion 2| and a forward portion 22 each of which is formed as approximately one-half of the top. The rear portion 2| of the top is permanently secured to the bucket body portion IS in any suitable or desirable manner preferably through a bead or seam 23 rolled in permanent contact with the upset or beaded end 24 of the bucket body portion 16. The rear or fixed cover section 2| is provided throughout its area with a plurality of apertures for allowing the "passage of air to the interior of the bucket during transportation and the supply of air and water to the bucket while used in fishing.

The front section 22 of the cover or top as is hinged for upward swinging, which hinging, as seen in drawings, is toward the rear section 2! and upper end of the body portion whereby said cover may be raised to permit access to the interior of the bucket. The hinged or movable cover section 22 is provided with a peripheral ledge or rolled edge 26 which, when in its closed position, rests on the bucket top bead 2d. The adjacent transverse edges of the cover or top sections 2! and 22 are each turned or rolled in an opposite direction thereby providing a hinge eye 2i on the fixed cover section 2| and an adjacent hinge eye 28 on the hinged or movable section 22. In practice the said hinge eyes 2? and 25 are in the same horizontal plane. As will be noted in Fig. 3 the body portion of the said top or cover sections 2| and 22 is located below the bead or rolled end 24 of said upper end of the bucket body portion. Formed in the bucket body portion below the rolled edge or bead 2t, at substantially diametrically opposite points, are apertures 29 and 30 in axial alignment with the hinge eye 28 of the hinged or movable cover section 22 while a similar pair of apertures 3! and 32 are formed in alignment with the hinge eye 211' of the fixed or rear top or cover section 2 i.

Extending through the aligned bucket aperture 29 and hinge eye 23 is the long arm or hinge pin 33 of a U-shaped hinge member 36% while a short arm or hinge pin 35 of the said hinge member 31% extends through the aligned bucket aperture 3] and hinge eye 21. Similarly the long arm or hinge pin 36 of a second hinge member 3! extends through the aligned bucket aperture 32 and hinge eye 2? while the said second U- shaped hinge member 31 has its short arm or hinge pin extending through the aligned bucket aperture is and hinge eye 28. It will be noted from Fig. 4 that the hinge eyes of, the cover sections each have therein a short and a long hinge pin or arm which in each instance the longer hinge pin or arm extends well past center, and that portion of each of said long hinge pins or arms is disposed near the opposing ends of the short pins or arms at points substantially midway between the center of the bucket and the opposite outer extren'iities thereof. By this construction the bucket top or cover is amply reinforced from side to side with no appreciable weak point therein which would permit or allow a dc pressionin the event a large weight were placed on the bucket cover or top.

The hinged or movable cover or top section 22 is provided substantially throughout its area with apertures 39 similar to the apertures 25 in the top or cover section 20. Any suitable or desirable means may be employed for retaining the cover section 22 in its closed position such as the catch illustrated in Fig. 3 which is substantially ushaped in elevation andcomprises a post Ml upstanding from a base 4| through which passes a rivet 42 for securing the base M, and therefore the catch, to the cover section 22. A spring finger 43 including a latching lip 44 terminating in a finger piece 45, extends from the base 4|. The latching lip M, is adapted to project through an vaperture it in the bucket body portion is to underlie the rolled upper edge or bead 2 thereof.

The operation of the catch is obvious from Fig. 3

since pressure on the finger piece 45 will spring it to the position thereof illustrated in phantom lines which will unlatch the cover or top section 22 and permit of its raising about the axis of the hinge pins in the hinge eye 28. The catch illustrated in the drawings and above briefly dc is more completely illustrated and claimed in co-pending application Serial No. 81,166.

In order to transport the minnow bucket it is provided with the usual bail handle fill suitably hingedly connected to the bucket body It at at and 49.

The latch mechanism disclosed in this application and in the above identified application is operated by one hand, that is, by grasping the post 4% and spring finger as between the thumb and fingers and exerting the necessary and proper pressure on the spring finger is. The minnow bucket while in use may be held with one hand on the bail handle 4'? with the upper end of the bucket, and therefore the top or cover, just above the water being fished whereupon the user with his other hand would release the cover. section and actuate it to its open position and thereby gain access to the minnows without danger'of escape of those remaining in the bucket.

It will be understood that by carefully placing a minnow bucket of the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 in the water being fished and with water within the bucket at a proper levelthe said bucket would float at or near the surface of the water. Disturbance of the water, it is conceivable, could splash onto the cover and thereby fill the bucket with water beyond its point of buoyancy and cause the bucket to sink below the water surface. It is of course understood that the water in, a non-floating type of minnow bucket should be periodically replaced or have added thereto fresh water which can be accomplished through the apertures 25 and 39 in the cover sections 2| and 22. Figs. 5 to 8 disclose a slight modification or, preferably, the addition to the structure of Figs. 1 to 4 of a float for positively converting the minnow bucket to a float type or floating minnow bucket and which will permit a circulation of water through the minnow bucket while in the stream.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 3 the top or cover section 2la is modified to the extent that, for a space behind its hinge eye 2?, there is provided a plain, unperforated portion 5%? beneath which is formed a float chamber or a minnow bucket float. As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the float chamber is formed from a piece of sheet material comprising a bottom 5| extending entirely across the upper end of the bucket and from the longitudinal edges of which float chamber bottom 5! are upwardly extending sides 52 and The float chamber sides 52 and 53 each has its upper end upset to extend toward the other as a flange, respectively, as members 55 and 55. The flanges 54 and 55 are in face contact with the plane or imperforate portion 56 of the top section and are respectively secured to the said top section by rivets 56 and 51.

In the manufacture of the minnow bucket the said float chamber or float housing is secured to the bucket cover or top section 21c prior to its attachment to the bucket proper through the bead or seam 23-24.

Disposed in the float chamber or float housing is a float 58 having a transverse vertical cross section substantially identical with the transverse vertical cross section of the fioat chamber or housing and as seen in Figs. 6 and 7 of a length to extend entirely across the bucket and the float chamber or housing is substantially filled with the float 58. Any suitable or desirable means may be employed as the float, it having been found that foam plastic makes an ideal float for minnow buckets.

In the modification shown in Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, the float chamber or housing has its forward side 53a provided with a relatively short depending portion 59 and a rearwardly inclining portion 60 that joins with the float housing bottom 5la. The rear side 52 of said housing is provided at its upper end with a forwardly pro,- jecting flange 54 while the front side, particularly the depending portion 59 thereof, instead of being provided with a rearwardly projecting flange, as in Fig. 5, is provided at its upper end with a rounded lip portion or half bead 6 i.

The modification further includes the rear section 2| of the bucket cover or top as being provided with a slit 62 thereby resulting in a tongue 63 that is depressed and rearwardly projecting as clearly illustrated in Figs. 11, 12 and 13.

The chief purpose of this modification is to provide a means for mounting the float housing or float chamber, together with the enclosed float member, without resorting to some type of permanent attaching means, such as the rivets 55 and 51 above set forth. In practice the float housing is adapted to have the lip or half bead til inserted into the hinge eye 2! of the cover or top rear section 2| whereupon the flange 54 of the float housing rear side 52 is forced beneath the tongue 63. The cover section 2! is then placed on the container top edge and its bead 23 crimped around the bead 24 at the upper end of the container which looks the said modified float housing in position with the float member 58a, like the float member 58, conforming in vertical cross section to the vertical cross section of the modified float housing, therein. The float housing is merely sprung into position with the lip El and flange 54 occupying the positions above described and are locked or retained in this position by the walls of the container or bucket since any outward springing of the float housing sides will be resisted by the engagement of the, corners 64 and 65, of said float chamber or housing, with the body l6 of the bucket or container.

The rearward inclination of the float chamber or housing front wall or side 53a, as illustrated at 60, reduces the restriction to access to the interior of the bucket or container and it is to be understood that this constriction could be applied to the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5. I

The bucket formed in accordance with the modification in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, and 11 to 13, inclusive, when placed in the water being fished floats at substantially a angle as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 with the perforated for ward or hinged section 22 of the cover or top submerged below the water level and with the rear cover or top section Zia-2! above the level of the water, wherefore, the perforations 25a in said cover section 2|a-2i, behind the plain or imperforate section 58, supplies air to the interior of the minnow bucket for the minnows.

It will be readily appreciated that the float type bucket in the position illustratedin Figs. 9 and 10 can readily be tilted so that its top or cover is parallel with the surface of the water and easily retained in this position while the hinge section 6. of the cover is opened and the desired minnow extracted from the bucket.

It should further be noted that whether the minnow bucket of the floating type, or the, so called, nonfloating type is employed, the minnow bucket may be lifted free of the water and placed on the bank or in the boat, depending upon whether shore or boat fishing is being indulged, in order to obtain a minnow from the bucket, since the bucket body portion is imperforate and therefore will retain whatever water it is desired to have in the bucket while a minnow is being removed from the bucket. This maneuver of removing the minnow bucket from the water to remove a minnow from the bucket is not possible with the two unit type of minnow bucket because the minnow bucket proper has its body portion perforated for a distance upwardly of the bottom thereof whereby the water in the minnow bucket upon removing it from the stream or lake being fished would flow onto the bank or into the boat resulting in an undesirable condition.

From the foregoing, it Will now be appreciated that there has been provided a single unit minnow bucket that is novel and accomplishes the objects initially set forth and since it can be produced as a single unit is economical to both produce and acquire,

What is claimed is:

1. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising an imperforate body portion having oppositely disposed apertures in its upper end, an imperforate bottom at the lower end of the body portion, a top transversely divided to provide a portion secured to the upper end of the body portion and a perforated portion, said secured and perforated top portions each having interior edge disposed adjacent to each other with said adjacent edges turned on themselves to form a hinge eye on each top portion in alignment with the apertures in the body portion, and hinge pins passing through said body apertures into the hinge eyes of the top portions so that said perforated top portion is hinged to said upper end of the body portion and adapted to be open to permit access to the interior of the body portion.

2. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end with oppositely disposed apertures in its upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket transversely divided to provide a pair of sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, said secured and second top sections each having an edge adjacent one another with said adjacent edges turned on them selves to form a hinge eye on each top section in alignment with apertures in the said upper end, hinge pins passing through said apertures into hinge eyes of the top section thereby hingedly connecting the second top section to the said upper end of the bucket, and a latch for releasably locking the hinged cover section to the bucket top.

3. A minnow bucket of the class described comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket including a pair of sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the other top sec tion to the said upper end of the bucket, and a latch for releasably locking the hinged. coversection to the bucket top, said sections each having an edge adjacent the other, and said hinge connection including a hinge eye at the adjacent edge of each top section, the bucket having apertures therein in alignment with the hinge eyes of said topsections, and a U-shaped hinge pin including a base and a pair of arms with said arms respectively disposed in the hinge eyes of the flxed and removable top sections.

4. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprisin a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket including a pair of sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, and a latch for releasably locking the hinged cover section to the bucket top, said sections each having an edge adjacent the other, and said hinge connection including a hinge eye at the adjacent edge of each top section, the bucket having apertures therein in alignment with the hinge eyes of said top sections, and a pair of U-shaped hinge pins located respectively at opposite ends of the cover sections with each hinge pin comprising a base member and a pair of arms from opposite ends of the base member, said arms being of diiferent lengths and respectively disposed in the hinge eyes of the fixed and hinged sections and with the horter hinge pin of each hinge member in its hinge eye in opposition to the longer hinge pin of the other hinge member.

5. In a minnow bucket of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having an imperforate body portion, an imperforate bottom secured to said body portion, a top including a pair of sections one of which is fixed to the upper end of the bucket and the other of which is movable relative thereto, a hinge connection to the upper end of the bucket, said fixed to section including an imperforate and a perforated portion, a fioat depending from said fixed top section below the imperforate portion thereof, said movable section being perforated, a latch on said movable section for releasably locking same in closed position, said float including a chamber formed by depending walls from the longitudinal edges of the imperforate portion of the fixed section, and a bottom joining the lower ends of said chamber walls, said chamber walls extending transversely of the bucket between the bucket walls, and said bucket walls closing the ends of and completing the float chamber.

6. In a minnow bucket or the class described, the combination of a receptacle having an imperforate body portion, an imperforate bottom secured to said body portion, a top including a pair of sections one of which is fixed to the upper end of the bucket and the other of which is movable relative thereto, a hinge connection disposed on the upper end of the bucket and adapted to engage said movable section, said fixed top section including an imperforate and a perforated portion, a float depending from said fixed top section below the imperforate portion thereof, said movable section being perforated, a latch on said removable section for releasably locking same in closed position, said float including a chamber formed by depending walls from the longitudinal edges of the imperforate portion of the fixed section, a bottom joining the lower ends of said chamber walls, said chamber walls extending transversely of the bucket between the bucket walls, and said bucket walls closing the ends of and completing the float chamber, and a block of foam plastic Within the float chamber.

7. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket including a pair of sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged cover section to the bucket top, and a float carried by the fixed top section to depend interiorly of the minnow bucket, comprising a float housing substantially U-shaped in cross section and of a length to span the distance across the bucket, said float nousing including a bottom and upstanding front and rear sides, a flange laterally projecting from the upper end of the front side and the ear side of said housing, and means integral with the fixed top section for interlocking with the said flanges.

8. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket including a pair of sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged cover section to the bucket top, and a float carried by the fixed top section to depend interiorly of the minnow bucket, comprising a float housing substantially U-shaped in cross section and of a length to span the distance across the bucket, said float housing including a bottom and upstanding front and rear sides, a flange laterally projecting from the upper end of the rear and front side, respectively, of the housing, means integral with the fixed top section for interlocking with the said flanges, and a float member within said float housi g.

9. A minnow bucket of the class comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket including a pair of sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, mean for hingedly connecting the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged cover section to the bucket top, and a float carried by the fixed top section to depend interiorly of the minnow bucket, comprising a float housing substantially U-shaped in cross section and of a length to span the distance across the bucket, said float housing including a bottom and upstanding front and rear sides, a flange laterally projecting from the upper end of the rear and front side, respectively, of the housing, a tongue integral with the fixed top section and projecting in a plane beneath the plane of said fixed top section between which tongue and fixed top section the flange of one of the sides of said housing projects, and a bead at the free edge of the fixed top section into which the flange of the other of said sides projects.

10. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket including a pair of sections, means for secui'ng one of the top sections to said upper end of bucket, means for hingedly connecting the other top section to the said upper end oi the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged cover section to the bucket top, and a float carried '70.! the fixed top section to depend interiorly of the minnow bucket, comprising a float housing substantially U-shaped in cross section and of a length to span the distance across the bucket, said float housing including a bottom and upstanding front and rear sides, a flange laterally projecting from the upper end of the rear and front side, respectively, of the housing, a tongue integral with the fixed top section and projecting in a plane beneath the plane of said fixed top section between which tongue and fixed top section the flange or" one of the sides of said housing projects, a bead at the free edge of the fixed top section into which the flange of the other of said sides projects, and a float member Within said fioat housing.

11. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket transversely divided to provide a, pair of sections each having an edge adjacent one another with one top section disposed on one side and the other top section disposed on the other side of a vertical plane passing through the body of the bucket and between the adjacent edges of said top sections, means for securing one of the top sectons to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the adjacent edge of the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged top section to the bucket upper end, and a float carried by the secured top section between its edge adjacent the other top section and the bucket to depend interiorly of the bucket and be disposed on one side of the said vertical plane through the bucket passing between the adjacent edges of the top sections so that said minnow bucket floats with its axis oblique to the surface of the water.

12. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket transversely divided to provide a pair of sections each having an edge adjacent one another with one top section disposed on one side and the other top section disposed on the other side of a vertical plane passing through the body of the bucket and between the adjacent edges of said top sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the adjacent edge of the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged top section to the bucket upper end, a float chamber forming member substantially U-shaped in cross section depending from the undersurface of the secured top section and depending interiorly of the bucket and disposed on one side of the said vertical plane through the bucket passing between the adjacent edges of the top sections, and means for securing said float chamber member to the said secured top section.

13. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket transversely divided to provide a pair of sections each having an edge adjacent one another with one top section disposed on one side and the other top section disposed on the other side of a vertical plane passing through the body of the bucket and between the adjacent edges of said top sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the adjacent edge of the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged top section to the bucket upper end, a float chamber forming member substantially U-shaped in cross section depending from the undersurface 10 of the secured top section and depending interiorly of the bucket and disposed on one side of the said vertical plane through the bucket passing between the adjacent edges of the top sections, means for securing said float chamber member to the said secured top section, and a float in said chamber.

14. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket transversely divided to provide a pair of sections each having an edge adjacent one another with one top section disposed on one side and the other top section disposed on the other side of a vertical plane passing through the body of the bucket and between the adjacent edges of said top sections, means for securing one of the top sections to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the adjacent edge of the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged top section to the bucket upper end, a float chamber forming member substantially U- shaped in cross section depending from the undersurface of the secured top section and depending interiorly of the bucket and disposed on one side of the said vertical plane through the bucket passing between the adjacent edges of the top sections, means for securing said float chamber member to the said secured top section, and a foam plastic float in said chamber.

15. A minnow bucket of the class described, comprising a receptacle having an upper end, a top for the entire upper end of the bucket transversely divided to provide a pair of sections each having an edge adjacent one another with one top' section disposed on one side and the other top section disposed on the other side of a vertical plane passing through the body of the bucket and between the adjacent edges of said top sections, means for securing one of the'top sections to said upper end of the bucket, means for hingedly connecting the adjacent edge of the other top section to the said upper end of the bucket, a latch for releasably locking the hinged top section to the bucket upper end, a float chamber forming member substantially U- shaped in cross section depending from the undersurface of the secured top section and depending interiorly of the bucket and disposed on one side of the said vertical plane through the bucket passing between the adjacent edges of the top sections, means for securing said float chamber member to the said secured top section, and a fioat in the form of a block of molded foam plastic in said chamber.

16. In a minnow bucket of the class described, the combination of a receptacle having an imperforate body portion, an imperforate bottom secured to said body portion, a top transversely divided to provide a pair of sections with one top section disposed on one side and the other top section disposed on the other side of a vertical plane passing through the body of the bucket and between the adjacent edges or said top sections and with one of said sections fixed to the upper end of the bucket and the other of said sections movable relative thereto through a hinge connection to the upper end of the bucket, said fixed top section including an imperforate and a perforated portion, a float depending from said fixed top section below the imperfcrate portion thereof and disposed on one side of the said vertical plane through the bucket so that said 11 minnow bucket floats with its. axis oblique to the surface'of the water, said movable section being perforated, and a latch on said movable top section for releasably locking same in closed position. 5

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Number 12 Name Date Muncaster June 12, 1894 Gray Apr. 10, 1900 Brown Nov. 10, 1903 Kennedy Feb. 25, 1913 Simonich Dec. 14, 1915 Moore Dec. 31, 1929 Albers et a1. Feb. 23, 1932 Holt Apr. 21, 1936 

